Get matched with top property appraisers in Saint Johns, FL

While some aspects of an appraisal, such as comparable properties nearby, are out of your control, there are several steps you can take to potentially increase your home's value. Make any necessary repairs and upgrades before the appraiser's visit, as they can only value what is currently part of the home, not its potential. Examples include renovating older areas, updating landscaping to boost curb appeal, and staging your home. You can also provide the appraiser with the cost of recent upgrades, which may increase your home's value by about 50% or more of what you paid for those improvements.

In most cases, selling a home in as-is condition will lead to a sale price that’s somewhere between 10% and 30% lower than normal. However, it’s often worthwhile to sell at a loss because the alternative would be to pay for the repairs yourself, which could end up costing you more. Even if they didn’t, selling as-is saves you from the time and energy you’d spend coordinating the repairs.

In cases where an appraisal comes in lower than an offer price, sellers might opt to lower their asking price to meet the appraisal, especially if the market is slow, and replacing the offer with a higher one may take a long time. Sellers can also offer to make repairs to boost the appraised value, hire another appraiser to get a second opinion, or just move on to another offer that isn’t contingent on the buyer getting a mortgage or an appraisal inspection.

The condition and appearance of your yard can affect your home appraisal value. A well-maintained, attractive yard with curb appeal adds to a property’s value, while an overgrown, messy, poorly maintained yard can hurt your home’s appraisal. Even small cosmetic improvements to your yard, like adding mulch, trimming trees, and cleaning out plant beds, can help your appraisal value.